Home: Meeting Minutes List: Meeting Minutes

SEPTEMBER 13, 2004

Mayor Sohm welcomed and thanked everyone for attending the meeting.

Reverend Ray Armstrong, Eastside Baptist Church gave the invocation.

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was said.

Mayor Sohm called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.

In attendance were Council members Stacey Cline, Don Cundiff, Tony Miller, Margaret Moore, Duane Price and James Watkins.

James Watkins made motion to dispense with reading of 8/23/2004 regular meeting minutes. Stacey Cline 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

Tony Miller made motion to approve minutes as printed. James Watkins 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

Mayor Sohm announced that two Shepherdsville firefighters, Jodie Hart and James Sparks have passed the EMT certification course and that we have three firefighters enrolled in the class at this time. He feels this training will be very helpful to our firefighters in serving the public. 

Mayor Sohm announced that the City had purchased a Bobcat Skid steer loader for $17,907 and delivery is expected any day.

Mayor Sohm announced that the hearing requested by Joe Rogers regarding his termination from the Police Department is scheduled for September 20^th & 21^st.

Mayor Sohm announced that the Tourism Commission has agreed to help finance the flag program. They will purchase flags to be flown throughout the City and Mr. Frank Hatfield, with the Shepherdsville Lions Club, has agreed to provide the labor to put the flags out and to store the flags. Flags will be flown ten days a year with two other days to be determined by the Tourism Commission and Lions Club.

Mayor Sohm reported that a resolution had been reached with the owner of the property on Second Street. They have agreed to allow the fire department to burn the house down and donate the property to the City.

Mayor Sohm reported he had attended the meeting with the Department of Transportation regarding Highway 44. He stated there are three options available to help alleviate traffic problems. The first is to widen the whole road to five lanes; the second is to widen the road within City (Mt. Washington and Shepherdsville) limits; and the third option is to look at places to add turning lanes. He also stated that access management along commercial establishments to connect road behind businesses was discussed. Mayor Sohm stated he feels it is important to take an active roll in getting Highway 44 widened and encouraged everyone to fill out a survey.

Mayor Sohm introduced Jeff Burton with Sweeping Corporation of America to discuss street sweeping in the City. Public Works Foreman Jesse Walls stated that the City had looked into the purchase of a street sweeper at the cost of $108,000 and he would like to research this option further before deciding that the City purchase a street sweeper. Mr. Burton outlined his proposal, based on a one year contract, that would include Highway 61 from mile marker 15 to the end of the Salt River Bridge, North and South; the community of Salt River to include 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th Avenues, Booth Street and Cedar Avenue; Highway 44 from Plum Street to Roby Elementary, bridge overpass, medians and all curbs east and west. The cost per sweep would be $250.00 with the City providing the dump site and water for dust suppression system. If Sweeping Corporation of America provides debris removal and water there will be an additional $50.00 charge per sweep. Mr. Burton stated streets could be swept with a 24 hour notice. Mayor Sohm asked Mr. Burton if he would be willing to sign a six month contract while the City is looking into the purchase of its own street sweeper? Mr. Burton agreed to a six month contract at the price stated above. Mayor Sohm stated he would like to schedule the first sweep and decide on a frequency of sweeps after that. Tony Miller made motion to accept a six month contract to sweep streets as needed when contacted by the City. Don Cundiff 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

There were no Sewer, Historical, Transportation/Beautification or Recreation Committee reports.

Mayor Sohm stated he feels that the Police Department doing Code Enforcement is working very well.

City Attorney Joe Wantland had first reading of Ordinance 004-(number to be assigned) establishing the real property ad valorem taxes and providing assessment, equalization and collection pursuant to the provisions of KRS 92.280, Et. Seq. Mayor Sohm stated this lowers the tax rate to 14.54 and will generate approximately $718, 365. A public hearing will be held at the September 27^th meeting.

City Attorney Wantland had first reading of Ordinance 004-(number to be assigned) levying personal property, and property of public service companies ad valorem taxes and providing assessment, equalization and collection pursuant to the provisions of KRS 92.280 Et. Seq. Mayor Sohm stated this leaves the tax rate at 17.24 and will generate approximately $100,715.

City Attorney Wantland had first reading of Ordinance 004-(number to be assigned) requesting rezoning by Properties Limited LLC to rezone 9.95 acres, more or less, located on the south side of Highway 44 East abutting the east property line of 2003 Highway 44 East from R-2 and Stream Valley Reserve to B-2 Central Business.

Discussion followed on request from Bullitt Central to have their Homecoming Parade on Thursday, September 30^th. Margaret Moore made motion to approve permit. James Watkins 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

Councilman Duane Price asked if the proposed tax rate would cover what was budgeted to be brought in? Mayor Sohm stated that the combined real and property tax would bring in approximately $819,000 and we budgeted $835,000. Councilman Don Cundiff asked why we would cut the tax rate if we’re not going to cover the deficit? City Attorney Wantland stated the proposed rate is the 4% compensating rate and to set the rate higher would be subject to recall. Councilman Price stated he does not want to raise taxes for the citizens but would like to pursue the collection of the insurance tax for the City. Mayor Sohm stated we would research this and discuss further.

Regina Smith addressed the Council requesting the City put in a boat ramp. She stated that KOA charges $7.00 to put a boat in at their site and the gentleman she deals with is not very friendly. She stated there is a lot of boat traffic on the river and would like the City to consider this. Mayor Sohm stated that the Tourism Commission and Flynn Brothers are involved in discussions to try to get a boat ramp installed. Mayor Sohm agrees with this idea and thinks the City should pursue it. Councilwoman Margaret Moore suggested the City also talk with Flynn Brothers about a boat ramp. Mayor Sohm stated he would meet with Flynn Brothers and Elaine Wilson with the Tourism Commission to discuss this matter.

Ray Walls was present to address the Council about the City putting in sewers 1200 feet on Highway 61 South of the jail. Councilman James Watkins stated the McKinney Drilling Company was also interested in having sewers. James Watkins made motion to do a study on cost to businesses and households to provide sewers to the south end of the City Limits (Cooper Run). Stacey Cline 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0. 

Planning Commission Appointee Ben Robards stated there were two cases for Shepherdsville. The Marshall McPherson and Rita R. McPherson Revocable Trust to rezone 5 acres, more or less, from Agricultural to B-1 Highway Business and Joseph Cruise to rezone a 60’ x 150’ from R-1 Residential to B-2 Central Business. He stated both requested had received favorable recommendations from the Planning Commission.

Board of Adjustments Appointee Scott Isert was not present at the meeting and did send a copy of the meeting docket.

Police Chief Ron Morris reported that he had received notification that the Police Department had been granted $2400 from the LLEB. He stated this was several thousand dollars short from what was received in the past and that will hold off purchase of additional tasers at this time. Chief Morris reported that there had only been one incident involving a taser and upon realizing he was about the get tased the perpetrator surrender to police.

Public Works Foreman Jesse Walls stated he is short on help and thanked Councilman Tony Miller for his help in pulling up signs.

Councilman Tony Miller stated he had received two calls concerning property on Howlett Drive and Highway 44. He stated that someone is living in that camper. Mayor Sohm stated that this has already been turned over to the police department to be checked out.

Councilwoman Stacey Cline stated that she has been unable to make contact with Steve Hartlage with the Department of Transportation concerning Blue Lick Road.  She also reported that she has received calls concerning the Howlett property. Ms. Cline also stated that there is a sign in the yard advertising a business and asked that this be checked into.

Councilman Tony Miller stated that Highway 44 next to the vacant lot has been cleaned up. Mr. Miller also reported that on Tollview and Jackie Way (554) there is a bush that needs trimmed that blocks view of road. Mayor Sohm asked PWF Walls to measure right of way and if the bush is over the right of way to cut it back. Mr. Miller also reported that someone had put in a sprinkler system on Cedarview and filled in the ditch. PWF Walls stated this needs to be re-ditched.

Councilwoman Cline stated that on Circle Drive when Rumpke picks up trash if anything is dropped in the subdivision they leave it laying. Mayor Sohm asked Ms. Cline to get day and time this is happening so that Rumpke can determine what truck is in the area and who is in the truck. Ms. Cline also stated that she has spoken with Rumpke several times to pick up their tote with no success. Mayor Sohm stated that he has not signed the contract as yet and if Rumpke pushes to have the contract signed before all the problems are resolved the City will look elsewhere for trash service.

Councilman James Watkins stated he has received the same complaints on garbage and Howlett Drive.

City Attorney Wantland stated the City needs to give Rumpke a drop dead date to have all problems resolved and move on. He suggested asking Mr. Rumpke to the next meeting and speaking with him then.

Councilman Duane Price stated the neighbors along Highway 61 thanked the City for having the water pumped out where the road is going in.

Councilwoman Margaret Moore asked about the Waste Management refunds? The City Clerk informed her that she has spoken to Tim McNally with Waste Management and the close out date was actually the end of July which would mean the end of August or middle of September before check will be mailed. Ms. Moore also stated that the brown building on Highway 61 past Roberts Bar was a disaster. Mayor Sohm asked Chief Morris to see him regarding this.

Mayor Sohm asked for a motion to adjourn to executive session to discuss litigation. James Watkins made motion to adjourn to executive session. Duane Price 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

James Watkins made motion to return to regular session. Don Cundiff 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0.

City Attorney Wantland stated counsel had been given instructions on how to proceed and will do so.

Stacey Cline made motion to adjourn. James Watkins 2^nd. Motion carried 6-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

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